The soldiers led Tyrion to the largest tent in the center of the camp. Several elite guards stood outside, their helmets sporting at least two spikes.
Seeing Tyrion and his companions, one of them stepped forward. After confirming his identity, he lifted the tent flap and gestured for him to enter.
The light inside the tent was bright, with several rows of candles lit. A young man stood with his back to him before a massive map of King's Landing, seemingly lost in thought.
He wore a pure white silk tunic, his long silver hair draped casually over his shoulders. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.
That was Viserys Targaryen.
The moment he saw Viserys, Tyrion's heart skipped a beat. The young man before him was even younger and far more handsome than he had imagined.
His features inherited that unique Valyrian refinement, and his eyes, just as Varys had said, seemed capable of piercing through one's soul, carrying a level of composure and majesty that belied his age.
"Tyrion Lannister, The Imp of Lannister. I have heard much of you." Viserys spoke. His voice wasn't loud, yet Tyrion couldn't help but pay attention. "You are shorter than I imagined."
Tyrion saw the corner of Viserys's mouth turn up slightly, but that smile sent a chill through him instead. He forced himself to remain calm and bowed slightly as a gesture of respect.
Then he looked up to meet Viserys's gaze, trying to keep his tone neither humble nor arrogant. "Viserys, the Restorer of Targaryen, you are certainly younger than I imagined. I also didn't expect that you would truly be willing to see a 'dwarf' like me." He deliberately emphasized the word "dwarf" to see the other's reaction.
Viserys ignored the underlying meaning in Tyrion's words and said, "I am always willing to give opportunities to interesting people. Moreover, I am curious—what gave you the courage to come see me alone? Aren't you afraid I might kill you with a single stroke of my sword?"
"Afraid? How could I not be?" Tyrion admitted candidly. "Though my life isn't worth much, I don't wish to lose it so easily. However, I believe even more that His Majesty Viserys is a smart man."
"Killing me directly would be very easy. But even with the help of dragons, your army would certainly pay a heavy price to take King's Landing. Lannister soldiers might fear dragons, but they fear the wrath of my father, Lord Tywin, even more. A cornered beast will still fight; I believe you understand this principle."
Viserys turned and sat at a long table, then pointed to the chair opposite him, signaling for Tyrion to sit as well. "Speak then. Why have you risked coming to see me late at night? Are you here to beg mercy for Lannister, or to seek a way out for yourself?"
Tyrion climbed onto the chair opposite him and looked Viserys straight in the eye. "Both. But I actually want to discuss a deal—a deal beneficial to both of us."
"Oh?" Viserys raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of interest. "I am all ears."
"I know what you want, His Majesty Viserys."
Tyrion spoke slowly, "You want the Iron Throne; you want to restore the glory of the House Targaryen. But there are hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in King's Landing. A great war, regardless of the outcome, will plunge Westeros into conflict once again, leaving countless people displaced. This is likely not what you, with your 'true dragon' bloodline, wish to see."
"Innocent civilians?" Viserys sneered, his voice suddenly rising. "When my father, Aerys, died in King's Landing, did a single one of them shed a tear of sympathy for him? When the Lannister army bathed King's Landing in blood and brutally murdered my sister-in-law and nephew, where were they? Lannister, you talk to me of innocence now?"
Tyrion knew he had touched a sore spot, but he was prepared. He responded calmly, "Your Majesty, the accounts of history must be settled, but the path to the future must be walked. I admit that Lannister committed unforgivable crimes against Targaryen, especially my father. But now, the one standing before you is me, Tyrion Lannister."
He paused and continued, "I am not here to defend the past; I am here to seek a possibility for the future. I want to live. So, if I trade the life of my father, Lord Tywin, for my own survival, what would you think?" He said the last sentence softly yet fiercely.
A strange look flashed in Viserys's eyes. "You wish to betray your family?"
"Betrayal?" Tyrion laughed self-deprecatingly. "When has Lannister ever truly accepted me, this dwarf? My father, Lord Tywin, views me as a disgrace, and my sister Cersei wishes I were dead. Even now, as I defend King's Landing for them, they are still plotting against me behind my back. What is there in such a family worth my loyalty?"
Viserys looked at Tyrion, his purple eyes making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
He remained silent for a long time—so long that Tyrion's heart nearly leapt out of his chest—before finally speaking slowly, "What are your conditions?"
Tyrion knew his opportunity had arrived.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming very solemn. "I can help you take King's Landing without shedding a drop of blood, and I can also help you deal with my father Lord Tywin's army. But I need your guarantee that after entering the city, you will not harm innocent civilians and will grant me a fair trial."
He paused and added, "Also, Sansa Stark—I want you to guarantee her safety and grant her freedom."
"The safety of the civilians, I can guarantee. I will not let Dragonfire consume innocent lives," Viserys finally spoke. "As for your trial, if you truly help me take King's Landing, I can give you the justice you seek. Furthermore, regarding Sansa Stark, who is she to you?"
"She is my friend," Tyrion said seriously after a moment's hesitation.
Viserys gave him a deep look before saying, "Her safety, I can also guarantee. But her freedom depends on her own will."
Tyrion acted excited and said, "Good. I am most grateful for Your Majesty's magnanimity. Then I shall hurry back to the city to make preparations. I only need a week, and I guarantee Your Majesty can sit upon the Iron Throne without shedding a drop of blood."
Hearing this, Viserys's expression immediately darkened. He sneered inwardly; this Imp was indeed still that calculating Lannister. The so-called "week of preparation" was nothing more than breathing room he was buying for himself.
He had originally thought that Tyrion, just like in the original story, was thinking of getting rid of Tywin and joining him. In that case, he wouldn't mind truly giving Tyrion a chance—perhaps letting him inherit House Lannister.
But now it seemed he had overestimated Tyrion's hatred, or rather, underestimated his "respect" for Tywin.
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